Former U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra announced Wednesday that he will run for California governor in 2026, joining a growing field of candidates vying to succeed Gov. Gavin Newsom, Politico reported.

Becerra, who previously served as California’s attorney general, emphasized his decades of political experience in a campaign video released exclusively to POLITICO.

“I watched my parents — a construction worker and a clerical worker — achieve the California dream,” Becerra said in the video. “Can we do that today, with this affordability crisis? Very tough. But we’ve taken on these tough fights. … We can do that, but you need a leader who can be tough.”

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Becerra’s entry shakes up a race that had remained largely stagnant as Democratic candidates awaited a decision from Vice President Kamala Harris on whether she would run. His campaign has stated he will remain in the race regardless of her decision.

A former congressman and a key figure in legal battles against former President Donald Trump, Becerra is positioning himself as the candidate with the most experience to manage California. His tenure at the Department of Health and Human Services was marked by efforts to defend the Affordable Care Act and support abortion rights, though he faced criticism over handling migrant shelters and COVID-19 policy.

Becerra is one of several Latino candidates in the race, including former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, potentially splitting Latino support.

Read more at Politico.